Eminem, one of hip-hop’s most iconic figures, has finally revealed the true origins of his notorious alter ego, Slim Shady. In a candid interview with Complex, the 52-year-old rapper, real name Marshall Mathers, opened up about the darker periods in his life that led to the creation of the character that made him a household name.

The interview comes shortly after the release of his latest album, The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), which dropped on July 12. The album was preceded by a gory teaser trailer that hinted at the symbolic death of the infamous Slim Shady persona. In the interview, Mathers engages in a fictional dialogue with an AI version of his younger self, reflecting on his career and the controversies that have followed him over the years.

During the exchange, Mathers confronts Slim Shady directly, stating, “Remember we made you, you almost fing killed our career.” Slim Shady, known for his rebellious and controversial antics, snaps back, mocking Mathers for what he calls an “apology tour” after the release of Relapse, an album Slim criticizes as being “an entire album in fing accents.”

Mathers doesn’t hold back in response, delivering a blunt assessment of Slim’s role in his career. “I invented you because my life was f***ed up, my music was going nowhere, and I was broke.” He further elaborates that Slim Shady was born during one of the lowest points in his life, a time when he was struggling both financially and creatively.

But Mathers is quick to remind Slim of the consequences that came with the creation of the persona. “You didn’t fix anything, you actually made that sh*t worse. I couldn’t even [go to] the bathroom without someone standing by it. You’re the reason I had to self-medicate. Because of you, I almost lost my career, my family, my life.”

Despite the tension, Mathers, who has been sober for 16 years, finds a moment of reconciliation. He admits that both he and Slim played a part in shaping the Eminem we know today. “We both made Eminem, he’s the best of both of us. It’s not about me or you, it’s about him and the fans.”

Slim Shady, who first emerged on the scene with the release of The Slim Shady LP in 1999, quickly became synonymous with the raw, unfiltered, and often controversial side of Eminem. The character allowed Mathers to express his darkest thoughts without restraint, resulting in hits like “The Real Slim Shady” and “My Name Is.” However, the line between persona and reality began to blur, leading Mathers down a destructive path of substance abuse and personal struggles.

In a two-star review of The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), The Independent’s Stevie Chick wrote, “In the past decade or so, critics have suggested Eminem has been outpaced by new young rap talent. But the only emcee Marshall Mathers has really been competing against is his younger self.” Chick highlights how Slim Shady was Mathers’ “id, minus the ego,” a persona that allowed him to explore every forbidden thought and provocative fantasy.

Now, at 51, Eminem seems to be closing the chapter on Slim Shady, acknowledging the role the alter ego played in his rise to fame while embracing a more sober and reflective perspective. Fans of both the old and new Eminem will find much to ponder in his latest release, which signals the end of one era and the beginning of another for the rap legend.

While the future of Slim Shady remains uncertain, one thing is clear—Eminem’s legacy continues to evolve, with or without his infamous alter ego.